I recently joined a group that focuses on blenderized diets. Originally my goal was to share my experience in order to help others with g-tubes live healthier lives. Little did I know I was going to need their help as well. Because Matthew is getting older and in need of more calories but not able to handle large volumes, I posed a question to the group regarding “milks” that were high in calorie. Hemp seed milk (something I hadn’t heard of) was on the list. Since this was coming from a group of people that had lot’s of experience, I began looking into it.

What I found was, it is yet another super food. So, as always, I dug deeper. Here’s what I found:

Hemp seeds have 9 grams of protein per serving. They contain all of the essential amino acids making them a complete protein.

They are a good source of iron and Zinc.

They are an excellent source of Vitamin E, Magnesium and Phosphorus.

There is also 2.8mg of Manganese which is 140% of the DV.

Hemp seeds are also over 30% fat but they are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 which is more than both chia seeds and flax seeds. These fatty acids, in balanced proportions, have been linked to a host of health benefits. “The typical American diet contains 14 to 25 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids, which many nutritionally-oriented physicians consider to be way too high on the omega-6 side.

The Mediterranean diet, on the other hand, has a healthier balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Many studies have shown that people who follow this diet are less likely to develop heart disease.”

One bit of information I found was very important to know. Matthew has a condition called Chronic Thrombocytopenia. Due to a severe infection he had at the age of 4, Matthew has a lower than normal number of platelets in his blood. Since platelets are the part of the blood that allows clotting to occur, it is important for me to know that the oil in hemp seed may slow blood clotting. this is why it is so important for anyone being followed by a physician for any medical condition should research any and all super foods that hit the market and, check with and/or inform your doctor if you have or are interested in adding them to your diet.

Sometimes people have g-tubes and don’t have a lot of other medical conditions so just trying out this healthy high calorie food. Still others, like Matthew, are so complicated medically that research has to be done before even considering it. Healthy or not, medically complicated or not, my treat all super foods the same. See what is being said and check it against other websites. Health food websites tend to only give the health benefits and not the side effects or contraindications. Medical websites will sometimes do just the opposite. I choose to look at both sides and decide whether or not it’s something that will benefit Matthew or make conditions worse. If I am unsure, I check with his doctors. I especially make sure to alert his GI doctor of any dietary changes I have made. I also don’t give him anything I haven’t tried myself.

In closing, I follow the “less is more” rule. In other words, just because a super food has some really enticing health benefits, ingesting lots of it can cause problems. Look for sites that will give you therapeutic doses and stick to them. Our goal is to stay out of the doctor’s office, not end up in one.

Hemp milk is by far the easiest dairy milk substitute. There is no cooking and, with the Vitamix, there is no need to run it through a filtration bag. It is very calorie dense with lots of protein. It tastes great as is but I’ve added a couple of ingredients for folks who like their milk substitutes a little sweeter.

Ingredients

4oz hemp hearts

2 cups of water

4 pitted dates (about 1-1.5oz)

1 1/2 cups of water

2 teaspoons of vanilla

Directions

Place hemp hearts, dates and 2 cups of water into the Vitamix into the container and secure lid.

Select Variable 1.

Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.

Blend for 1 minute.

Turn machine off and remove lid.

Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of water and the vanilla and secure lid.

Select Variable 1.

Turn machine on and blend for 10 seconds.

Food Tips:

It is a good idea to slice the dried pitted dates lengthwise before putting them in the Vitamix. This will ensure that no part of the pit was left inside during processing at the plant. I have yet to find any literature that says they are dangerous but the pieces can clog g-tubes. Even if a piece gets through it could cause problems in the GI tract of someone who already has difficulty processing solid food.

If you have time, soak the dates and hemp seed for 30 minutes before blending. This reduces the amount of sediment and completely removes the need for straining or filtering.

Store hemp seed in a mason jar. It is easier to pour the seed into the Vitamix container than to scoop it out of a container with a spoon. Also, store the seeds in the refrigerator. Hemp seed is high in fat so they can go rancid quickly especially if you live in a hot/humid climate region.

One cup of fresh hemp seed milk has about 194 calories. It has 10 grams of protein and 14 grams of fat so, unless you have a high caloric need, I suggest sticking to the 1/2 cup serving size. Hemp milk will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Drink it straight or add it to smoothies. It is also a great base for blenderized meals.

As with all “Super Foods” take the time to research and steer clear of the idea that “if less is good, more is better.” This is very important if you are dealing with specialized or restricted diets, on medications or have various health conditions.

Time Tip: Freeze any portion of the milk that will not be used in 3-4 days in ice cube trays. Store the cubes in labeled and dated freezer bags for up to 6 months. Since each cube is about an ounce, you can quickly grab what you need without wasting any.

Money tip: Shop around before buying hemp hearts. They can run as high as 12 dollars a pound in some stores and on line. Winco has the lowest price at $7.02 a pound. They can be found in the bulk food section for much less than the prepackaged bags. It is good to alternate seed/nut milks. If you are on a tight budget, alternate the types of nut/seed/bean milks you make to save money. This is also important especially for individuals on blenderized diets to insure balanced nutrition.